Premiers Moe, Smith call for end to ‘federal interference’ in resource development

WATCH: Premiers Scott Moe and Danielle Smith are calling for an end to federal interference in resource development. Keenan Sorokan reports.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are making a unified “call for change” to federal policies that apply to resource development.

“Development of provincial resources is provincial responsibility, and that includes the development of our transmission and electricity grids – and if we can unite the common purpose, we can ensure that the rest of Canada hears our voices,” Smith told reporters following the meeting.

The two leaders and their respective caucuses met in the border city of Lloydminster Wednesday. The meeting was advertised as a summit for the two governments to discuss enhancing their respective energy and agriculture sectors.

“This was a great opportunity for us to bring our caucuses together … working alongside, hopefully the federal government as well, in really correcting some of the regulatory space that we have in this nation," Moe added.

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During his remarks, Moe stated the importance of a port-to-port corridor in getting resources and energy to markets across the globe.

The two governments included a list of priorities following the meeting. They included:

• Repealing or overhauling the Impact Assessment Act to respect provincial jurisdiction and eliminate barriers to nation building resource development and transportation projects.
• Eliminating the proposed oil and gas emissions cap
• Scrapping the Clean Electricity Regulations
• Lifting the oil tanker ban off the northwest coast
• Abandoning Canada’s net zero vehicle mandate
• Repealing any federal law or regulation that purports to regulate industrial carbon emissions, plastics or the commercial free speech of energy companies.

Moe reiterated his hope that Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government backs up statements made at the first ministers meeting in Saskatoon – including the intention to make Canada an energy superpower.

The event comes just weeks after the first ministers meeting in Saskatoon – and not even a full day after G7 leaders wrapped up their summit in Kananaskis, Alta.